Beirut, January 26, 2009

The endowment will be shared by the centres equally ($15 million for each university). They will carry out both research and public engagement designed to enhance understanding between the Muslim world and the West. They will also get new directors.

Cambridge University’s general board has approved the appointment of professor Yasir Suleiman as the first director of its centre.

The centre will enable the development of a constructive and critical awareness of the role of Islam in wider society, initially through research programs on Islam in the United Kingdom and Europe, and Islam and the media.

It will also run various public programs, such as public lectures, conferences and summer schools, designed to promote understanding of Islam in the wider world.

The centre at Edinburgh University will be headed by professor Hugh Goddard, professor of Christian-Muslim Relations from the University of Nottingham.

'It is paramount for both Islam and the West to reach mutual ground for pro-active dialogue, respect, acceptance and tolerance,' said Alwaleed.

'We are determined to continue building the bridge between Islam and the West for peace and humanity,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service